It wants to set up a national centre for certification and development of unmanned systems in the village of Tusźow Narodowy in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. The project is referred to as “Drone Valley”. The investment of the Scientific and Technological Centre for Unmanned Systems is expected to cost PLN 135 million. It will be the first centre of its kind in Europe.

It’s not just Poland that will pay for it

The project will not be financed only by Poland. About 42 million zlotys, or 8 to 10 million euros, will be financed by a European Union programme called “European Funds for Podkarpackie”. Preparations for this major investment are nothing new. According to Jarosińska-Jedynak, a member of the regional executive committee, preparations have been underway for several years. Not surprisingly, any project of this size naturally requires sufficient time for preparation.

A first in the European Union

Once completed, the centre will be the first facility in the European Union capable of fully certifying drones across classes C0 to C6. It is expected to receive accreditation from the Polish Centre for Accreditation and formal notification from the Civil Aviation Authority. And when might we expect to see this centre? There is talk of the centre being built by 2029.

━━ ( Source: Jason Mavrommatis /  Unsplash+ )

What the centre will look like

According to the available information, the centre is to be built on a 13-hectare site. The plan is to build a research building with an air traffic control tower and a hangar. It would also include two runways. However, these are still only plans, as according to Agnieszka Wojdylo, deputy director of the regional development department in the office of the Marshal of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, negotiations are currently underway with the local government to purchase the land.

“We are conducting public consultations. Although the negotiations are difficult, we want to finalise the deal by the end of the year. This is a strategic investment that will become the basis for the development of new technologies,” she noted. Partners of the unique project include the Rzeszów University of Technology and the Unmanned Aerial Systems Cluster. The university has already signed an agreement on co-financing the construction of the Unmanned Aerial Systems Research Centre.

“We want to connect all those working in the broadly defined drone sector. We are open to students, private and public entities,” announced Aneta Łobodzińska, president of the Scientific and Technological Centre for Unmanned Systems and coordinator of the cluster. She added that the centre in Podkarpackie is being developed by experts who co-created the “Valley of Drones” in Nevada.

Drones and their specifics

Drones, which are also called unmanned aerial vehicles, are remotely controlled devices that have gained popularity. Drones can be used to take pictures or also film the world from a bird’s eye view. But that’s not all. Drones can be equipped with sensors or navigation systems. They can vary in size. But all of them can perform many precise tasks. They are used not only in civilian life, but unfortunately also in the military for modern warfare.

In my opinion, it is great that a centre like this is being set up virtually in the centre of Europe. Of course, it will cost a considerable amount of money, not only for Poland, but also for other countries thanks to contributions from the Union, but the benefits will be far greater. I believe that everything will be successful and will make it to the announced year 2029. What do you think about the Valley of Drones? Is it needed or is it just money wasted?